Latch extension unit



' Dec. 25, 1956 J. MILLER LATCH EXTENSION UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledDec. 23, 1955 Dec. 25, 1956 Filed Dec. 23, 1953 J. MILLER LATCHEXTENSION UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Julius]? 136661 HA5 1! ORNEY UnitedStates Patent LATCH EXTENSION UNIT Julius Miller, Valley Stream, N. Y.,assignor to Miller- Deutscher Corporation, Lynhrook, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application December 23, 1953, Serial No.399,989 3 Claims. 01. 292-1 This invention relates to door latches andlocking devices, and particularly to an improved linkage arrangement forconnecting thelatch actuating'mechanism to the bolt.

In the conventional door the latch actuating mechanism and the handle orknob are located in the immediate vicinity of the catch. Usually thelatch and its operating mechanism is an intregal unit. However, manymodern architectural designs require the positioning of the door knoband latch actuating mechanism away from the vertical edge of the doorand at a considerable distance from the catch. Some designs have evenlocated the door handle centrally of the door.

These new designs have created problems of installing and operating thecatch by a latch actuating mechanism, hereinafter referred to as theactuator. Presently known devices employed to overcome thesedifficulties use bored holes extending from the edge surface of the doorto the recess provided for the actuator. Through this bore is passed ahousing, having a sliding link therein. This link connects the actuatorand the latch.

Such sliding links, by their inherent structure present many undesirablefeatures. Since these devices comprise several working parts they areexpensive to manufacture. Another disadvantageof the present links stemsfrom their rigid construction and the rigid interlocking connection atthe actuator and at the latch mechanism. This lack of flexibility in thelinkage arrangement necessitates an extremely accurate drilled holebetween the two units. Any deviation of the hole from a true vertical ora horizontal plane will make it increasingly diflicult to assemble thelink actuation mechanism. To produce an accurately bored hole in everyinstallation is extremely diflicult especially as the actuator is movedfurther away from the bolt or latch. Failure of known link constructionsis often caused by their use of telescopically working parts. Theseparts may rust upon the penetration of moisture causing a partial ortotal freezing of the mechanism. The latch thereupon becomes sluggish inoperation or wholly inoperative. Often-an accumulation of sawdust andother dirt particleslodged within the moving parts thereof, willinterfere with the function of these structures.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an easilyinstalled link of simple construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide .a link which doesnot require an accurately bored channel or hole through which tooperate.

A further object of this invention is to provide a link so constructedas to be operative despite misalignment of the actuator both in avertical and horizontal plane.

A feature of this invention is a link having no moving parts.

Another feature of the present invention is its novel locking means,provided at both ends of the link for securing the link to the latch andactuator mechanism.

The invention consists of the construction, combinaice Figure 2 is aview in elevation of one embodiment of this invention with certain partscut away to show the construction thereof.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a second embodiment ofthe present invention.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3 illustrating a thirdembodiment of this invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view in perspective of the latch engaging endportion of the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the actuating mechanismend portion of the link shown in Figure 2, somewhat enlarged.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the latch end part ofthe second embodiment of this invention somewhat enlarged.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the latch end of thethird embodiment of this invention somewhat enlarged.

Referring to Figures 1 and 6 the reference character 10 designates alink formed of a hollow rod or tubular member. The link may be of anysuitable length depending upon the desired distance between the latch orcatch mechanism 12 and the actuating mechanism or actuator 13. The latchunit 12 comprises a latch head or bolt 14 held under spring tension byspring 11 within a housing 15. Attached to the rear of the head 14 is arearwardly extending T-shaped member 16. Adjacent the end 17 ofthe link10, as best shown in Figure 5, is a hole 19 adapted to receive thereinone of the extended arms 18 of the member 16. The hole 19 is of adiameter suflicient to allow the arm 18 considerable freedom of movementtherein without permitting the link to be twisted out of engagement withthe said arm.

The inside diameter of the hollow rod 10 is formed so as to provide abearing surface for the end ofthat portion of the arm 18 of the T-shapedmember which is not thrust through the opening 19 in the rod.

At its actuator end the link 10 is provided with opposed horizontaltransverse slots or grooves 22 (best shown in Figure 6). The grooves 22are deep enough to receive the retracting jaws 23 of the latch actuatingmechanism 13. Horizontal and vertical movement of the link 10. at thisconnection is provided by' forming grooves 19 wide enough to permitlongitudinal movement of the link between the jaws 23. The end 21 of thelink 10 has a concave surface as indicated at 21 to clear the lugs (notshown) of the actuator 13 when the link is in the retracted position.

The horizontal displacement of the link connections at the latch unit 12and the actuator 13 made possible by the present invention is bestillustrated in Figure 3. The extreme vertical movements of the link ends17 and 21 are shown in Figure 3 by the dot and dash lines. advantage ofthe displacement available by the present invention will be apparent byreference to Figure 1.

The hole 31 in Figure 1 may be bored in the door 32 at an angle to ahorizontal plane. Were it not for the universal adjustability of thelink connections at the ends 17 and 21 a union could not be made betweenthe latch 12 and the actuator 13. The same adjustment is pos sible ifthe hole 21 is drilled out of line with a vertical plane. Further, itcan be-readily-seenthat by use of this link a coupling between the latchand the actuator can be accomplished where the hole 31 may be out ofline withb'oth a vertical and a horizontalplane.

In the operation of the above 'de'scribeddatch and locking devicetheturning'of the door knob' or handle '24 retracts thejaws '23. As'thejaws are drawn 'toward the'center'of'theactuator 13, the jaw'ends' bearagainst the rear wall of the link'grooves'22. The pull thus imparted tothe'link causes the'rear wall of the hole 19 to'pullonthe arm 18ofthemember 16. This movement retracts the bolt 14 permitting 'thedoorto be opened. Upon the release of the door knob or handle the'b'o1t1'4and the link arereturned to a normal positionuin'der-the urging'ofsprings in the latch 12 and actuator 13.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown in Figure 3 and 4. In thisform the tubular link 10 is provided, at its actuator" end 21, withgrooves22 as previously described. The latch end 17 of this link diliersfrom the first embodiment in'having a pair of diametrically'opposedslots 25. At right anglesto each slot 25 is a transverse slot 26. Thisconstruction forms a'bayonet typeof connection. To make the connection,the link is positioned'so'thatthe ends of the arm 18 pass into slots 25.Then the .link is rotated so that the said arm ends pass into slots 26.The slots 26 are sulficiently wide to allow the ends of the arm 18, whenthe coupling is made, freedom of movement to insure adjustability of thejoint. The horizontal grooves 22 at the end 21 of the link 'preventsthelink from rotating during its operation and twisting out of engagementwith the ends of the arm 18. The latch end 17 of the link has a concavesurface to prevent the end of the link from striking lugs in theactuator when in the retracted position. The bayonet end construction ofthe link permits easier assembly and provides a more positiveconnection.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 4 and 8.The link 27 is a solid cylindrical member having in close proximity toits end 28 an annular groove 29. The depression is deep enough to permitthe link 27 to pass between the jaws 23 of the actuator and to allow aslight vertical movement of the link between said jaws. The width of thedepression '29 must be wide enough to permit horizontal movement of thelink before the side walls of the depression bear against the verticalends of the jaws 23. These clearances permit the vertical and thehorizontal movement of the link when coupled.

At the opposite end 17 of the link 27 there is provided a longitudinalbore the depth of which is sufficient to allow the entry of the end ofthe T-shaped member 16. In assembly the member 16 is inserted in thebore 30 and one end of the arm 18 is inserted in a hole 19 located nearthe end 17 of the link. The coupling thus formed is the same asdescribed in the first embodiment of this invention. Construction of thelink at its end 17, as aforesaid, prevent rotatory movement of the linkand the disengagement of the memberld with the link.

This last embodiment provides for even greater latitude in mounting theactuator and bolt mechanism than in the preceding embodiments in that,the jaws 23 may be in any position relative to the T-shaped member 16and still a union therebetween, can be effected by the link 27.

It is apparent from the foregoing disclosure that a link constructionhas been provided which can be easily and cheaply manufactured. It isconstructed without moving parts thereby eliminating the problem of theinoperative or sluggish operating door latches due toclogged partswithin the link. The link, while forming a positive acting couplingbetween the latch and the actuator, provides flexible connections atitsends. This feature eliminates the need for an accurately drilled holethrough which the link passes.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. An extension unit adapted for use between latch bolt and actuatormechanisms, said extensionunit comprising, a centrally bored rod shapedlink, a universally adjustable coupling member on said link consistingof opposed L-shaped slots in thewall of the link at the latch bolt endof said link and integral with said link, a universally adjustablecoupling member consisting of a groove in said link spaced .from thelatch bolt actuator end of thelink, said coupling members being inpositive but swingable engagement with the latch bolt andactuatormechanisms.

2. An extension unit adapted for use between latch bolt and actuatormechanisms, said extension unit comprising, a centrally bored, rodshaped link, a universally adjustable coupling member on said linkconsisting of a lateral opening communicating with the central bore nearthe latch bolt end of said link, a universally adjustable couplingmember consisting'of opposed grooves formed near the latch bolt actuatorend of the link, said coupling members being in positive but swingableengagement with the latch bolt and actuator mechanisms.

3. An extension unit adapted for use between latch bolt and actuatormechanisms, said extension unit comprising, a centrally bored rod shapedlink, a universally adjustable coupling member on said link consistingof a lateral opening communicating with the central bore near the latchbolt end of said link and integral with said link, a universallyadjustable coupling member consisting of an annular groove formed nearthe latch bolt actuator end of the link; said coupling members being inpositive but swingable engagement with the latch bolt and actuatormechanisms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,250,036 Schlage July 22, 1941 2,299,181 Schlage Oct. 20, 19422,719,744 Schlage Oct. 4, 1955

